When you explain what’s going on, are people blinking at you with blank stares — even though you're right and the situation is extremely complex?

If you're a technical expert who's ever been frustrated that people “just don’t get it,” this episode is for you. Messaging coach and former cybersecurity leader Joel Benge reveals why being brilliant isn’t enough — and why even the smartest people struggle to connect when it counts most.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.                                                                                                        

By the end of today’s conversation with Joel Benge you’ll know:

🛠️3 core human drivers of communication that even data nerds must master

💃🏼How to translate complex ideas into language that builds trust (without “dumbing it down”)

🎯A key “message therapy” method to prep your pitch, presentation, or white paper for real-world impact

Hit play to learn how to earn attention, trust, and buy-in — even if your message is packed with facts and your audience is packed with PhDs.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (it retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 4 all about choosing your mindset!! Everything else follows from mindset leading to your voice being heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Joel Benge, is author of Be a Nerd That Talks Good and founder of MessageSpecs Consulting.

Joel helps technical professionals and speakers bring clarity and connection to high-stakes communication. With 20 years of experience translating cybersecurity, compliance, and emerging tech for audiences ranging from NASA engineers to C-suite execs, Joel knows how to turn dense material into messages that move people.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

What if you could unlock the secret to getting a "yes" from anyone—without being pushy, annoying, or loud?

In this episode of Speak Up, Laura Camacho breaks down exactly why high-performing introverts often get overlooked—and how you can flip the script using 9 proven persuasion tactics drawn from leading psychology research.

If you're tired of being the best-kept secret in your organization, this is your roadmap to visibility and leadership without changing who you are.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🧲10 science-based persuasion tactics, inspired by research from psychologists like Robert Cialdini

💰Proven tactics that help you influence stakeholders, inspire teams, and avoid being overlooked—without needing to be loud or aggressive

🧩5 ways your having influence HELPS your company get better results

Press play now to learn the exact influence techniques introverts can use to get buy-in, respect, and promotions—without ever needing to be the loudest in the room.

Pick one tactic to start with—I recommend reciprocity or empathy, as they’re low-effort and high-impact. Practice it this week and track the results. If you want to take your influence to the next level, check out my Executive Presence Mastery System, by setting up a chat for us above in the show notes. It’s designed to help senior leaders and aspiring executives master persuasion, uncover blind spots, and communicate with confidence. 

Influence isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about being the most strategic. Start with one tactic, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly doors open. 

If you're interested, look above in the show notes, click the first link you find or visit speakupwithlaura.com... book a strategy call where we'll decode your specific executive presence gaps and show you exactly how to close them.

Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Let’s be real: you’re solving problems, crunching numbers, and quietly saving the day—while others argue over who gets the good conference room.

This episode speaks directly to high-performing introverts who feel stuck in their careers despite being the smartest person in the room. If you've ever felt like your quiet competence is invisible in noisy corporate spaces, this episode will hit home.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

 🔑 How to Turn Your Overthinking Into a Superpower

🪝 A trick from a Southern Netflix-famous comedian

🚀 3 powerful actions to shine in boardrooms or scrappy startups

Hit play now to learn how to turn quiet brilliance into undeniable presence and claim the leadership recognition you’ve earned.

Want more skills and strategy and support like this? Get on my  newsletter! It’s free. Simply visit speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Do you freeze up when it’s time to pitch your ideas, speak to senior execs, or simply advocate for yourself—despite knowing your stuff inside out?

In today’s high-pressure workplaces, visibility and persuasion matter just as much as competence—especially for introverts who often feel overlooked. This episode breaks down real-world strategies to help you communicate with confidence, pitch with clarity, and build influence without changing who you are.

By the end of today’s conversation with Nicole Spiegel-Gotz you’ll know:

😎How to project confidence—even when your voice is shaking

🎯How to pitch your ideas in alignment with your audience

🔥Actionable advice to build executive trust, handle sensitive conversations, and recover from imperfect presentations

Press play to learn practical, introvert-friendly ways to speak up, pitch smart, and step into leadership with calm confidence.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (it retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 4 all about choosing your mindset!! Everything else follows from mindset leading to your voice being heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Nicole Spiegel-Gotz, a native New Yorker now living in New Jersey, Nicole Spiegel‒Gotsch is the founder and CEO of HelloMavyn. After starting her career at a new media nonprofit during the tech boom of the 90s, she moved over to advertising and promotion at a major publishing house.

In 2007, she left corporate life to work for herself while getting an M.A. in Graphic Communications Management & Technology at NYU. Her Capstone would be on Barriers to Women’s Entrepreneurship. What followed was an exciting ride working on a range of creative and strategic projects across over a dozen industries. In 2020 she launched HelloMavyn, a marketing consultancy to help women business owners and entrepreneurs navigate their own twisty paths to success.

As a Latina, she is passionate about women’s empowerment and supports diversity and inclusion at every level. Nicole gives back by serving on various leadership committees, nonprofit advisory boards, and mentoring students and alumni. When she’s not working you’ll find her writing, drawing, doing yoga, or spending time with her husband and their dog Bea.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Have you ever been told you need more executive presence—but no one can explain what that actually means? Are you frustrated by vague feedback that feels impossible to act on? 

You're not alone. Vague feedback like “speak up more” or “be more strategic” can leave you second-guessing your natural communication style—and still getting passed over for promotions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

🚀The three-part formula to build authentic executive presence without changing who you are

🧩Why advice like “be more assertive” might actually be backfiring on you

🏋️What executives really mean when they say they want presence—and how to deliver it confidently as an introvert

If you’re tired of confusing feedback holding you back, hit play and finally decode the mystery of executive presence with clear, actionable strategies that work.

What you really want is to walk into any room and command respect naturally, without pretending to be someone you're not...

That's exactly why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System. It breaks down this mysterious quality into specific, actionable techniques that work especially well for introverts and ambiverts.

If you're interested, look above in the show notes, click the first link you find or visit speakupwithlaura.com... book a strategy call where we'll decode your specific executive presence gaps and show you exactly how to close them.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Imagine as an introvert in a boardroom, you’re feeling like a wallflower at a disco. Then, you drop a comment sharper than a paper airplane in a hurricane, and suddenly, everyone’s listening. 

As a high-performing introvert, you already have the depth—now it’s time to add a spark of humor to amplify your presence, gain trust faster, and influence the room without shouting over it.

In this episode, you'll learn how to use humor as your leadership edge—even if you’re not naturally funny or hate telling jokes.

By the end of this short episode you’ll know:

😂How humor transmits massive confidence and builds trust faster than the speed of light

🎯5 tips you can use to incorporate humor into your presentation or meeting, even if you’re an accountant

🚀How to own any room with your wit even if you’re terrible at telling jokes

Want more skills and strategy and support like this? Get on my  newsletter! It’s free. Simply visit speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

What if everything you were taught about soft skills doesn’t actually help your leadership performance at all? Learn what’s even more important.

In this eye-opening interview, Two Fish in a Tree author (& introvert) Brice Jaggers reveals why traditional performance reviews, poor hiring filters for soft skills, and misaligned promotions are stalling careers and damaging morale. Whether you’re a leader or a high-performing introvert, these insights will shift the way you think about growth.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🧲How to spot and elevate your workplace “superpowers” instead of fixing what's “wrong”

🧩Why role realignment beats termination—and how it unlocks performance

🛠️Real-life stories of transformation, from overlooked employees to high-impact leaders

Hit play now to learn how to stop climbing the wrong tree—and start thriving in your natural environment.

If you want to lead with even more confidence, clarity, and connection—especially when stakes are high and it's a pressure cooker, get your copy of my Executive Presence Self-Assessment here. My compliments. It goes through the 10 qualities that make up executive presence that are essential for success as a senior executive.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

About our guest:

Two Fish and the Tree shatters the myth that poor soft skills can be greatly improved through training and mentoring. In this paradigm-shifting work, Brice E. Jaggars presents a controversial yet compelling argument that will change how you view workforce development.

Jaggars exposes flaws in traditional development programs, focusing instead on role alignment. Through a blend of cutting-edge research, revealing case studies, and personal insights, he demonstrates how this approach catalyzes:

This isn’t just another business book—it's a blueprint for unlocking your workforce's true capabilities. Whether you’re steering HR strategy, managing teams, or navigating your own career, Brice will transform your understanding of human potential in the workplace. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about talent management—and discover a new path to success.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Ever wonder why you're exceeding targets but getting zero recognition precisely during promotion season…while everyone says you’re doing a great job?

If you’ve ever been told to "just keep doing what you’re doing"—only to see less qualified colleagues move up—this episode breaks down the real reason why results alone aren’t enough to climb the corporate ladder.

In this episode, you'll discover:

🐴Why being the reliable workhorse is actually hurting your career advancement

🔑The real reason decision-makers promote people who deliver less than you do

🚀A clear 5-step to-do list to boost your executive presence and visibility

Hit play now to find out exactly how to stop being overlooked and start being the obvious choice for your next big promotion.

If you’re stuck in this cycle—delivering exceptional results but watching others get promoted ahead of you, feeling resentful and undervalued… and what you really want is to be the obvious choice for that next leadership role, with the salary and recognition to match—then I’ve got something for you.

That’s exactly why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System. It’s designed for high performers like you who are tired of being invisible despite their achievements. We’ll work together to pinpoint exactly why you’re being overlooked and build a tailored visibility strategy that makes you impossible to ignore.

Here’s what to do next: Look up in the show notes and click the first link you see, or visit speakupwithlaura.com. Book a strategy call with me, and we’ll map out a plan to help you show up as the leader you’re meant to be and nail that  next promotion.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

As promised in the episode, here’s a concise 5-item to-do list for listeners get promoted to senior leadership:

1. Showcase Strategic Impact: Translate your work into executive language—connect how your results drive the company’s big-picture goals.

2. Build Visibility: Share your wins in meetings, emails, or one-on-ones with decision-makers, focusing on outcomes, not just effort.

3. Cultivate Executive Presence: Practice confident and structured communication—clear, concise, and aligned with leadership priorities.

4. Build relationships with senior leaders to ensure they know your name and contributions.

5. Create a compelling story about your value and leadership potential, and share it consistently.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

In today’s episode, you’ll discover how to build your unique charisma, courage, and connections— all inspired by a trailblazing rapper’s unconventional journey to global influence.

In this episode of Speak Up, Laura Camacho shows how introverts can use this summer's relaxed energy to build authentic charisma, everyday courage, and real connections—without becoming someone they’re not.

Inspired by rapper and podcast host Zuby, this episode flips the script on traditional networking and visibility strategies.

By the end of this short episode you’ll know:

🎶How to build authentic charisma without being loud or fake, inspired by Nigerian English rapper Zuby

🧲Insights on taking small, bold risks to empower you to step out of your comfort zones and increase your visibility

🎯Why seeking too much approval drains your charisma

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Tap play now to unlock a bold yet authentic strategy for standing out this summer—your way.

Want more skills and strategy and support like this? Get on my  newsletter! It’s free. Simply visit speakupwithlaura.com.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Ever wonder how some leaders always seem to be in the right room at the right time—leading the charge during pivotal moments?       

In this episode, we speak with Michael Cerda—startup veteran, former MySpace and Facebook exec, and author of Build Something—about navigating career pivots, influencing without authority, and building culture from the middle out. If you're a leader or specifically a product manager struggling to find your voice or get buy-in, this is for you.

By the end of today’s conversation you’ll know:

🎯How to communicate with cross-functional teams when you have no formal authority.

✍🏻The true power of writing as a leadership tool for introverts

🔑The overlooked signals that reveal whether someone’s a true culture fit—or just saying the right things.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

If you want practical, battle-tested insight into becoming a more confident and strategic leader, hit play now.

To lead with more confidence, clarity, and connection—especially when stakes are high and it's a pressure cooker, get your copy of my Executive Presence Self-Assessment here. My compliments. It goes through the 10 qualities that make up executive presence that are essential for success as a senior executive.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Michael Cerdá is a veteran product and technology leader who has served as Chief Product Officer and executive at several of the world’s most influential companies. As VP of Product for Disney Streaming, he helped launch Disney+ to over 100 million subscribers. 

Previously, he was Chief Project Officer at Goldman Sachs’ Marcus division, Chief Experience Officer at Live Nation/Ticketmaster, and Director of Product at Facebook. He has also founded multiple venture-backed startups and holds two technology patents. 

His new book, Build Something: Building Products, Business & Culture – A Journey of Hard-Won Lessons and Impactful Outcomes (Feb. 20, 2025), reveals the untold true stories behind some of the most transformative technologies of our time. Learn more at www.build-something.com.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities. 

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.